Q.) According to the Deobandi scholars the fist full of the beard is wajib. If not please clarify. However, there are famous scholars like Dr. Sheikh Ramadan Al-Bouti who trim their beards less then that. A good number of Shuyookh from Syria also trim their beards. Their opinion is that it is okay to trim less than a fist. The Deobandi scholars term men with less than a fist of beard as fasiqs. So what about these pious and knowledgable ulama? Are they considered fasiqs? Or do the Ulama of Deoband recognize their opinion. I follow the Deobandi opinion but I respect these ulama who trim less than a fist. I find it difficult to take lessons from them. What is your advice? [Sheikh Faisal]

A.) It is mentioned in the Hanafi books that the jurists are unanimous on the ruling that a Muslim is obligated to grow his beard to the extent of one fist. As for the practice of some scholars of Middle East you should approach them about its permissibility.